One of the most clearly-enunciated teachings of the Scriptures is that of a coming DAY, when Jesus Christ, in His personal body-presence, shall be revealed from heaven, accompanied by a host of angels: to destroy the long-established world-system of anarchy against God; to bind Satan for 1,000 years; to raise the righteous dead; to establish a NEW ORDER - bringing "times of refreshing", regeneration, renewal and restoration to the earth; and establishing His own dominion over all the earth - ruling from the re-established throne of His Father, David, in Jerusalem. This coming "DAY" is, by way of pre-eminence, designated HIS DAY, "The Day of the Lord".
    That this concept is clearly manifested in the covenants, promises, prophecies and hopes of ancient Israel; that there was no attempt, on the part of Jesus or His apostles, to change or correct it - in any way; is so obvious, to anyone familiar with the general tenor of the Scriptures, that it should require no proof.
    Nor is this "Day of the Lord"

    Having urged his brethren to keep in step, Paul now calls them to unity in following his leadership: "Brethren, be followers (imitators) together of me". No pastor can escape the responsibility of leadership. By both his walk and talk he must SHOW THE WAY! It was no self-centered "monument-builder" who wrote these words; it was a humble servant of Jesus Christ who recognized, and desired to fulfil, his spiritual responsibility, (I Cor. 4:16; 2 Thes. 3:7-9; I Thes. 1:5-8; Phil. 4:9; comp. Acts 1:1). The New Testament Greek phrase translated "be followers" (or, "become an imitator") is always used in a good sense, (Eph. 5:1; 4:32; Lk. 6:36; Matt. 5:48; Heb. 6:11-12; 3 Jn. 11).
    Then Paul urges that his brethren also "mark", or "take note of", others who so walk. Though the word is sometimes used of "watching", in order to avoid pitfalls, (Rom. 16:17-18; comp. 2 Thes. 3:14); it is also used of centering one's faith-vision on a trustworthy guide (2 Cor. 4:18; comp. Heb. 13:7, 17). Thus, Paul writes: "..so as ye have us for AN EXAMPLE". Any trustworthy leader will be characterized by Christlikeness, (I Tim. 4:12-16;

Tit. 2:7-8; I Pet. 5:2-4; comp. Jn. 13:13-17).
    Paul's apostolic heart was deeply grieved to see so many deliberately following a contrary path which led to destruction! (Phil. 3:18-19) He had often warned of the need for alert diligence in facing the enemies of the cross, (comp. 2 Cor. 1:5; Col. 3:5-10). He sees the peril faced by his beloved brethren at the hands of wicked deceivers who wear a guise of goodness, (comp. 2 Cor. 2:4; Acts 20:18-21, 31). The enemy is those who advocate Antinomianism - the teaching that "because all matter is evil, the human body cannot be holy", (comp. Rom. 16:18); thus, urging them on in whatever "felt good", without too much attention to moral scruples!
    The real tragedy of the situation was that these men professed themselves to be FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST! In teaching that His sacrifice, divinely appointed as a means to holiness, actually made place

for all sorts of licentiousness; they turned the grace of God into wicked lasciviousness, (Jude 4; 2 Pet. 2:1-2, 7, 18; comp. Gen. 19:5), and made a mockery of the cross! (contrast Gal. 6:14)
    In Philippians 3:19 Paul sets forth the motivation and end of such enemies of the cross. Their hopeless and irreversible course of action leads to perdition - the word "perdition" not meaning a loss of BEING, but of well-being; NOT extinction, but RUIN and LOSS! (comp. Matt. 7:13; 2 Thes. 2:3). Their god is their "belly" - this word not being used in the sense of physical anatomy, but suggesting sensuous self-indulgence. Theirs is a religion of vileness which turns liberty into license - the very opposite of self-restraint, purity and keeping the body under control. The word for "belly" covers all sorts of sensuous indulgences: drink, immorality, drugs and anything else relating to physical and sexual appetite that is contrary to holiness.
    Licentious perversion is the very thing in which these enemies of the cross glory; immoral degenerates, they have reached the very depths of shameful degradation! Devoid of the wisdom which comes from above, they are "minders of" muck and filth - earthly things, (James 3:15; contr. Phil. 3:4; Col. 3:1- 6 ). To follow them will lead to a tragic end! E.G.

a solar (24-hour) day. It is a millennial day - equivalent to the expression "world (age) to come", as used in the Scriptures. It is a day in which Jesus Christ - having been dispatched to earth, from God's right hand - will exercise universal dominion. Under His Messianic rule, over the Theocratic - Davidic Kingdom, all things will be brought into subjection to the Father's will. His literal, millennial reign on earth will be characterized by "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit", (I Cor. 1:8; 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14; I Thes. 5:2; 2 Thes. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:10 etc.).
    Several kindred expressions seem to designate the same "day": "Day of Christ", (Phil. 1:6, 10; 2:16); "The Day", (I Cor. 3:13; I Thes. 5:4; cf. Heb. 10:25); "That Day", (2 Thes. 1:10; 2 Tim. 1:12, 18; 4:8; cf. Matt. 7:22; 24:35 ; Luke 10:12; 21:34); "The Day of the Son of Man", (Lk. 17:24, 26); "The Day of God", (2 Pet. 2:12); "The Day of Visitation", (I Pet. 2:12); "The Great Day", (Jude 6; Rev. 6:17; 16:14); and "The Last Day", (John 6:39-40, 44, 54; 11:24; 12:48).
    The "Day of the Lord" will come as a DAY OF JUDGMENT and fierce anger upon the rebellious and unbelieving, (Matt. 10:15; 11:22-24; 12:36; 2 Pet. 2:9; 3:7; I Jn. 4:17). IN that "day", the dead will be raised and judged - though not all at the same time, (I Thes. 4:13- 18; I Cor. 15:12-23, 51). The whole race will be judged in the court of God and of Christ, (Rom. 14:10;

2 Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:32). The authority of ALL judgment has been delivered into the hands of Jesus as the "Son of Man", (Jn. 5:22). It is inescapable, (Rom. 2:3; Gal. 5:10; I Thes. 5:3). Both the living and the dead will be judged, (2 Tim. 4:1; Acts 10:4). God will examine our hearts and try our work by His divine fire, (Rom. 2:16; Rev. 2:23; I Cor. 3:13-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; 11:15; Eph. 6:8; cf. Matt. 16:27; I Pet. 1:17; Rev. 20:12; 22:12). What has been "sown" will be "reaped", (Gal. 6:7-9; Rev. 14:15). In fierce anger against sin, God will destroy the powers of evil (Rom. 9:22; I Cor. 15:24-26; 2 Thes 2:8). Evil men shall also be the objects of His wrath, (2 Thes. 1:7-10; Matt.( 13:41; Rom. 2:8-9; Eph. 5:6; 2 Pet. 3:7; Rev.6:17; 11:18).
    Beginning with Christ's return "in power and great glory", the DAY OF THE LORD will be a DAY OF SALVATION for those whose lives have been devoted, with joyful loyalty, to His control, (Rom. 2:7, 10; I Pet. 1:5). This salvation will consist of: 1) Freedom from bondage to sin and the flesh, (Eph. 4:30; Rom. 8:23;); 2) Rest and Peace, (Acts 3:20; 2 Thes. 1:7; Heb. 4:5-11; Rom. 14:17); 3) Reward (Matt. 5:12; Rev. 11:18); 4) Honor, (I Pet. 5:6); 5) Praise, (I Cor. 4:5); and 6) Glory, (Rom. 8:17-18; I Cor. 15:43; Col. 3:4; Matt. 13:43).
    The "Day of the Lord" is surely coming, (Rom. 13:12; Jas. 5:8; I Pet. 4:7; I Thes. 5:5, 8). It may be HASTENED, (2 Pet. 3:12). LET US PREPARE FOR IT!
Adequate preparation will re-

quire that we: 1) Receive God's gift (of life) by faith; 2) Appropriate God's grace for living; 3) Watch against trials, trickery and deception designed to distract us from giving proper attention to the approach of this "Day"; and 4) That we make wise use of the TIME THAT REMAINS, (Col. 4:5; Eph. 5:16).
    Let us so live that this "Day" will not take us UNAWARES! E.G.


    In Psalm 110 our Lord is pictured with a myriad of soldier- saints, beautifully arrayed in their priestly garments, and fresh as the dew of the morning, as they proceed to subdue all resistance and to rule gloriously from Jerusalem-Zion (Isa. 24:23; 30:19; 60: 14; 62:11) - "the city of the Great

King"; the place of the restored Davidic throne, and the location that He had, from of old, desired and selected as the PLACE OF HIS "REST" - FOREVER! (Psa. 132:13-18; 48:1-8; 68:16-18).
    For ancient Israel, CANAAN was to be a "Land and Life of Rest"; God gave it to them for an inheritance, but POSSESSION was BY CONFLICT. The enemy had to be destroyed, or driven out, before they could possess and enjoy their REST therein. In this sense it was a type of Christ's Millennial kingdom.
    Jesus offered "rest" to those who would accept His yoke and submit to the discipline of his school (Matt. 11:18-30). There is a future "rest", (Heb. 4:9-11).
    Nor is it necessary to speculate concerning the TIME that it is to be experienced: it will be "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels" (2 Thes. 1:7-10). Though the man of faith may NOW experience an "earnest" of that rest, its full blessedness (as the fulness of "eternal life") must await Christ's coming to introduce the millennial age. E.G.


    "There was a man sent from God whose name was John", NOT a plan sent from God whose number was A-1.